Being the "New Guy"

When I was first invited to contribute to this blog, the purpose was to provide the perspective of someone who was new to the field of EMS...at this point, I hope that I am no longer labeled as the new guy, but I still remember what it was like to enter this field that has its own language, its own hierarchy (sorry everyone, as much as equality is stressed, it still exists), its own unique skill set, and its own place in college life.

I never thought I would end up in a college EMS squad, so when I attended the first informational meeting for Dartmouth EMS in the Fall of 2009, I didn't really know what to expect. I was handed a "New Member Checklist" but I noticed that the mass of 100ish prospective new members who were also handed the checklist stuck out among the handful of those who were obviously experienced EMS members, with embroidered jackets and all, sitting in one corner of the room. Also, as a side note, when one of the first sentences you hear at an information meeting reads something along the lines of: "D-EMS is a college-based BLS-QRS that works with DOSS and Dick's House IPD to provide fast squad style response to the campus. We also require all members to possess at a minimum BLS HCP CPR w/AED and HS FA" you tend to get a little shell-shocked. (Note: The sentence above may have been slightly tailored to make my point...the concept stands however). EMS is obviously different than a standard college club, there is a learning curve along with certain state-imposed requirements that must be fulfilled before one may take shifts. That is understandable, and little can be done to reduce that portion of the burden of attaining initial membership in the squad. What can be reduced however, are the barriers to entry into the "EMS culture." D-EMS has taken several steps to achieve this, from simply encouraging old members to sit among new ones during the first few meetings, to encouraging group dinners after the meeting, to the creation of a social email list that is used to coordinate events outside of official EMS trainings and shifts. For anyone familiar with D-EMS, I think you will agree in stating that we have become a more social organization over the past few years, and with that has come a reduction in the separation (for lack of a better term) that occurred in past terms between new members and the "old guns." If you have suggestions or experiences with this in your squad, please comment!

So, what if you aren't a brand new member. You passed "AHA BLS HCP CPR w/AED" and HS FA and have taken a few shifts as a FR or "tertiary" as we call them. Do you feel that you are completely a part of your squad? The answer for me was yes, partly because I made the effort to talk with my crew members, meet with other squad members outside of official activities, and in general had already developed an affinity for the structure and purpose of D-EMS by this time in the academic year. However, there were many people that still felt like an outsider, and that ultimately left the program because of this feeling. I cannot pinpoint exactly what remedy there may be for this problem, but I can only stress that new members are often the most important to the squad! After all, the seniors won't be around forever (ironic that the 2 other contributors to this blog are involved in D-EMS after graduation) and the new members are vital to the continuation of the organization. I hope this post can find some commonalities among other squads. If you have experiences like this, and definitely if you have found a solution, please let me know!